The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1887-08-21
THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
Its Objects Again Set Forth by Mr..
FOrham -
To the Editor of THE HERALD.


Ing and evening papers, for the assist
ance and encouragement it has given to
the Chamber of Commerce and to my
self in the performance of the duties
which have devolved upon me.
As the voice of the people is said to be
an expression of the divine will so the
utterances of the newspaper may be
said to be but the expression of the pub
lie sentiment. The newspaper, how
ever, unlike the voice of the people in
the first connection, is double action
influence, so to speak, and is not only
moulded by public opinion, but imparts
to the public the information necessary
for correct reflex action .l
OF what contt 1ding infuen :es are Q
the slaves! We are creatures of preju-
dice as well as of circumstances, and
the moulding Of character and intelli-
gence under the vision Of Rn ail-wis Q
Being seems as much of Q mystery as
the production of life under the secret
influences of nature. " Intelligence
would certainly be an unknown quality;
its Vagaries, at least, are q puzzle to the
wisest and its operations mystery be-
yond the possibility of solution. In the
domain of science it leads to irreconcil-
able contradictions and in religion it
leads and always led, strange to say, to
not only contradiction but to hatred
and enmity. There are some who will
pride themselves on being alsne able to
furnish correct definition OF religion,
and will so fashion it that no violence
may be done to their personal views or
opinions, but it would seem that the
definition should be broad enough to
embrace every infamy and brutality,
for there Is hardly crime
that has not been perpetrated
coming to Salt Lake, have learned that
maker religion it is disturber; whether
subjectively or effectively do not say.
In the country where l lived before
coming here, witnessed an unrelenting
war against Americans on the part of
the press and people, because they we're
heretics; denunciation, vituperation and
calumny were daily INDUCED in, not by
ignorant fanatics, but by men who
welded the pen intelligently, and were
looked up to as inst uctors and guides by
the people. And an American was re-
gsrded as an enemy, not because he was
supposed to think or plot evil against
The country of these people or them
selves, but because he could not worship
God as they did. And so long as this
religion lasts and is taught in its present
form every American will continue to
regarded as the deadly foe of the
nation. 1t cannot be that religion
should necessarily engender feelings OF
bitterness and antagonism, but l am
not going to become special pleader in
its defense.
have no desire to investigate or learn
the cause leading to the actual condi-
ton of affairs in Salt Lake. To use a
common phrase, life is too short, and l
have already wasted too much of it in q
vain endeavor to solve the mystery
contained in the words of the noted
Texas politician: What are We here
for2" AS regards the Christian and
Mormon creeds, l might say with Shell
ley, substituting the present for the past
tense:
As to the Christian creed, if true
Or false, never questioned It.
took it as the vulgar do.
Nor my wretched soul had leisure yet
To doubt the things men say, or deem
That they are other than they seem.
Idonot care to occupy myself with the
subtleties of creed, nor do desire to
trouble myself about others conduct
than my own. One reason for this is
that l am not inclined that way, and
more special reason is that the position
1 occupy and the policy that position
dictates should make me all to all, as it
were.
My present desire and only pre- occu-
patton is to promote the material in
terests of our community, and in be-
slowing all my attention and energies
upon the realization of my plans in this
connection l am free to admit that l
am not entirely unsel6sh, but neither
am wholly selfish.
And it is this materialistic spirit that
gives vitality and energy to the Cham
Der of Commerce. Self-interest is
platform on which all our citizens can
stand in harmonious unity and is
principle from which no conflict need
arise between those protesting contend
ing creeds.
Under the theocratic government of
the Jews, it would seem that the only
religious sanction controlling the con
duct of the Israelites was material adj
vantage. For the performance of
good and the avoidance of evil they
were promised but worldly benefits At
one time it was a land flowing with
milk and honey; at another it was the
multiplication of a tribe so that its
strength and power should exalt 1t
above others as great nation; at an
other it was an increase of f1ocks and
herds, and at still another it was q
promise of long life and youthful vigor.
For disobedience to the laws the Of
tenders were to be punished i'll their
children to the third and fourth gene
ration, and otter penalties which il.
spire but a dread of mortal sufferiI z
were to be inflicted.
To this dispensation another sue
ceeded, which is said to offer a higher
and nobler reward for the observance
of the commandments, but as time ad
vances and mankind grows older, it is
seen that men struggle for the enjoy
ment of worldly happiness, as though
it was still regarded as the only ade-
quate compensation for the ills and
misfortunes to which flesh is heir. The
priest, like the mother of the seven
Macchabies, as she stood over the
form of her youngest and fairest child
being devoured by the cracking fagots,
may whisper to suffering humanity to
turn its eyes heaVenward and forget;
hut tho t0rfrres 0f life ifa wants and